You've definitley piqued my interest in Darryl!! It's refreshing to see a cisgender man (or woman) reading so much about transgenders, gaining an understanding, and allowing your mind to expand.
Darryl is so unique, guarantee you've not read anything like it. 🙂 One of my favourite things about reading is seeing the world from different perspectives, and trans authors definately provide that.
I'm reading Tell me I'm Worthless right now for the Trans Rights Readathon - well just started - and so far it's really intense! I'm glad you're recommending it here. I read The Prettiest Star last year and it was really, really sad.
Fantastic recommendations. Finally put Freshwater and Darryl in my basket while watching. Tell Me Im Worthless I have also been wanting to read for ages. Detransition Baby is such a good read!
Yeah, Carter Sickles is a trans man. I think it's the one book on the list where transness isn't central to the story, so it doesn't get questioned as much.
Paused the video to see if I can easily get hold of Fierce Femmes and Notorious Liars. . . will be reading it soon!!:) Great video Scott!! Thank you!!!😊
What a great list! I just found You Made a Fool of Death With Your Beauty in the new releases at the library. I keep hearing about this author; it's a sign to start reading them for sure.
Yes, You Made a Fool is a fantastic romance, Emezi is such a versatile writer too, they've done romance, YA, lit fic and all amazingly... I hope you enjoy their work as much as me.
@@GunpowderFictionPlot Ah - I was curious what you thought of You Made a Fool :) I loved Freshwater but was not as keen on the romance - judging by this video I should run (not walk) in the direction of Vivek Oji!
What an excellent video!! Yeah these are some incredible books! Darryl was so good, I cannot wait for her next novel! Still need to read Prettiest Star and At Certain Points We Touch. Ditto the Emezis, really hoping to read more of them soon. I know Fierce Femmes wasn't your fave but gosh I loved it so much!! Tell Me I'm Worthless sounds so good, I still need to find a copy. I didn't love Detransition Baby but I can't deny its impact!
Thank you, I'm really looking forward to this readathon, time to get a TBR together and make sure I can get to the books I want to read. I cannot wait to hear what you think of the Emezi books when you do get there. The Prettiest Star is definitely a sad book for a certain mood. Fierce Femmes was really well done, even if it wasn't my type of book... OMG, but you have to read Tell Me I'm Worthless, this just feels like such a Kevvie novel, I feel like this is the book Stephen King would write if he were trans, 40 years younger and not perpetually apologising for being problematic.
Great reviews of books. Thanks for the heads up on several I've heard about but have not yet picked up. Did read The Prettest Star and liked it very much. Hope to get to Freshwater which sounds intriguing
I have read half of these, all great books!! My fave is The Death Of Vivek Oji, I just loved that book so so much. Cemetery Boys is very much YA but it’s a book I adored. Not sure it’s one you will like but I will park it here anyhoos ☺️
Cemetery Boy isn't a book I would normally gravitate towards, but I hate dropping books based on genre or audience, I believe it's the group read for trans girl April so if I can find a copy I'll probably give it a shot.
What a great set of books. I already had death of vivek oji on my radar, but I think I will try for freshwater first. I might go out of my comfort zone and try Darryl too. Thanks for posting.
Both great choices, I don't think you can go too far wrong with Emezi. I hope you love Darryl, obviously I think it's amazing - but I totally suggest reading a few pages before buying if you're unsure or you think it might be too far outside your comfort zone.
I particularly love My Volcano by John Elizabeth Stinzi. This is one of the wackiest novels I've ever read. You have to be ok with a lot of weirdness to love this novel - it's about a volcano that starts growing in the middle of Central Park, and that's not even the weirdest thing that happens. There are tons of character perspectives in this book, from all walks of life (its as much about the personal volcanoes erupting in the characters' lives as it is about the giant volcano growing in NYC), and it includes a couple of trans characters, and the author is trans as well.
You always add books to my list. 😊 My daughter loved Detransition Baby so think that will be my next pick. This is a great list, Scott. Gives viewers a place to start or new recs. ❤
Daryll was awesome, I have the prettiest star on my shelf and hopefully I pick it up in April but I've so many amazing trans books I want to get too. I just got Tell me I'm Worthless to read in April. You know my love for Detransition Baby one of the best books I've ever read. Literally every other book you mention is on my wishlist ❤
I am sitting here wearing yoga pants not sure if Darryl is for me! 😮 oh. I have the prettiest star on my shelf. Maybe that will be a good pick for trans girl April! 😢
I've only read Freshwater from this list, but I want to read every single other entry soon! I enjoyed Pet by Akwake Emezi and The Subtweet by Vivek Shraya. Both what I would call quietly trans books. Where the main character being trans was not the full focus of the book. Recently I also enjoyed the trans rep in The Vanishing Half, although not written by a trans author. Along similar lines, I liked the nonbinary/trans rep in Upright Women Wanted.
I really enjoyed Jonny Appleseed by Joshua Whitehead and would enjoy finding some more stories by two spirit authors. Very excited to check out Akwaeke Emezi after hearing about their books here! Great video, I'd love to see you cover more books from our acronym! ❤️
Yes, good call. To be honest Whitehead is the only two spirit authors I know of, but I'm sure there are more. I'll see what I can find and if they're available here and as long as that doesn't trip me up, I'll make a video in the future of the good ones.
As you know, I'll be reading freshwater shortly... And as I am currently reading my way through all of Emezi's work, I'll get to Vivek Oji at some point too. My friend really liked tell me I'm worthless and it is on my wishlist as well since they recommended it. I have been meaning to get to detransition baby for ages but my mood hasn't brought me there yet ;.; someday!! And bookstagram has been all over at certain points we touch so it is on my radar now too :3
I'm looking forward to your thoughts on all the Emezi, I can just see so many parts of your reading self being satisfied by their books. Tell Me I'm Worthless is a Gothic horror, that's a textbook Olivia novel in my eyes. 🙂
Great video! I thought I’d settled on a good 10 books for #transgirlapril but now you’ve just added several more books to my list. 😂 A good problem to have. In particular I’m looking at Darryl and Tell Me I’m Worthless. I already have Freshwater on my list as it’s the last of Emezi’s currently published works that I’ve yet to read. I was going to ask…have you read Dear Senthuran? I couldn’t remember, but I’d be curious about your thoughts on it. An author that I think writes excellent Trans rep is Rivers Solomon. They are non-binary and I love their books for the diversity as well as the societal critiques. If you haven’t read them, I think they’d be right up your alley.
I have read Dear Senthuran, I really like it. I think it was so thought provoking, and I kind of liked seeing the prickly side of Emezi. I must give River Solomon another shot. I think I tried On Earth Were Briefly Gorgeous at the time we were closing our business and nobody get a fair shot then. Hope you love Darryl and Tell Me I'm Worthless!
I think they're all coming of age stories... Which I acknowledge is a bit unusual, but I think when you talk about trans identity, that coming to terms with who you are is central to the plot... Unless you want to take the definition very literally about becoming an adult, then Freshwater, The Prettiest Star, Vivek Oji and Fierce Femmes.
This is not a forum to discuss if trans people should exist - All comments arguing that will be deleted and users blocked without reply.
👏❤
I liked something you said, "remember, if your government can see trans people as unpeople, they can see you as an unperson too."
A teacher said that to me when I was about 12, not about trans people, but generally and it has always stuck with me.
I’m thrilled that your evil twin has made an appearance. Kai Cheng Thom’s novel is such a delight.
Maybe I'll make a video about the magical realism novels I actually love.
I'm so excited for #transgirlapril
I'm pumped!
You've definitley piqued my interest in Darryl!! It's refreshing to see a cisgender man (or woman) reading so much about transgenders, gaining an understanding, and allowing your mind to expand.
Darryl is so unique, guarantee you've not read anything like it. 🙂
One of my favourite things about reading is seeing the world from different perspectives, and trans authors definately provide that.
I'm reading Tell me I'm Worthless right now for the Trans Rights Readathon - well just started - and so far it's really intense! I'm glad you're recommending it here. I read The Prettiest Star last year and it was really, really sad.
It is a very intense book, I will be curious to hear what you think when you're done. 😁
Fantastic recommendations. Finally put Freshwater and Darryl in my basket while watching. Tell Me Im Worthless I have also been wanting to read for ages. Detransition Baby is such a good read!
Delighted to see you pick up Freshwater and Darryl! Hope you love them.
I can't believe I still haven't got to Darryl. I feel like I should be voted off the island for wrongdoing.
Hahaha, better get reading.
Great list! Loved Detransition Baby and Vivek Oji.
I didn’t know that the author of The Prettiest Star was trans, and it’s been on my radar for ages!
Yeah, Carter Sickles is a trans man. I think it's the one book on the list where transness isn't central to the story, so it doesn't get questioned as much.
Paused the video to see if I can easily get hold of Fierce Femmes and Notorious Liars. . . will be reading it soon!!:) Great video Scott!! Thank you!!!😊
I'm so delighted you were able to find it!
What a great list! I just found You Made a Fool of Death With Your Beauty in the new releases at the library. I keep hearing about this author; it's a sign to start reading them for sure.
Yes, You Made a Fool is a fantastic romance, Emezi is such a versatile writer too, they've done romance, YA, lit fic and all amazingly... I hope you enjoy their work as much as me.
@@GunpowderFictionPlot Ah - I was curious what you thought of You Made a Fool :) I loved Freshwater but was not as keen on the romance - judging by this video I should run (not walk) in the direction of Vivek Oji!
What an excellent video!! Yeah these are some incredible books! Darryl was so good, I cannot wait for her next novel! Still need to read Prettiest Star and At Certain Points We Touch. Ditto the Emezis, really hoping to read more of them soon. I know Fierce Femmes wasn't your fave but gosh I loved it so much!! Tell Me I'm Worthless sounds so good, I still need to find a copy. I didn't love Detransition Baby but I can't deny its impact!
Thank you, I'm really looking forward to this readathon, time to get a TBR together and make sure I can get to the books I want to read.
I cannot wait to hear what you think of the Emezi books when you do get there. The Prettiest Star is definitely a sad book for a certain mood. Fierce Femmes was really well done, even if it wasn't my type of book... OMG, but you have to read Tell Me I'm Worthless, this just feels like such a Kevvie novel, I feel like this is the book Stephen King would write if he were trans, 40 years younger and not perpetually apologising for being problematic.
@@GunpowderFictionPlot LMAO yes that sounds exactly like my kind of book!!
Great reviews of books. Thanks for the heads up on several I've heard about but have not yet picked up. Did read The Prettest Star and liked it very much. Hope to get to Freshwater which sounds intriguing
I hope you love Freshwater, I think it's something special. 🙂
I'm writing so many of these down. The only one I've heard of before is Freshwater. Thanks for making this list!
Thank you for watching, happy reading trans books. 🙂
Thanks for putting together this list!
Thank you. I enjoyed it. 🙂
I loved _The Death of Vivek Oji_. I still need to read Darryl.
I'd love to hear your take on Darryl
I have read half of these, all great books!! My fave is The Death Of Vivek Oji, I just loved that book so so much.
Cemetery Boys is very much YA but it’s a book I adored. Not sure it’s one you will like but I will park it here anyhoos ☺️
Cemetery Boy isn't a book I would normally gravitate towards, but I hate dropping books based on genre or audience, I believe it's the group read for trans girl April so if I can find a copy I'll probably give it a shot.
What a great set of books. I already had death of vivek oji on my radar, but I think I will try for freshwater first. I might go out of my comfort zone and try Darryl too. Thanks for posting.
Both great choices, I don't think you can go too far wrong with Emezi.
I hope you love Darryl, obviously I think it's amazing - but I totally suggest reading a few pages before buying if you're unsure or you think it might be too far outside your comfort zone.
@@GunpowderFictionPlot thank you for the advice.
I particularly love My Volcano by John Elizabeth Stinzi. This is one of the wackiest novels I've ever read. You have to be ok with a lot of weirdness to love this novel - it's about a volcano that starts growing in the middle of Central Park, and that's not even the weirdest thing that happens. There are tons of character perspectives in this book, from all walks of life (its as much about the personal volcanoes erupting in the characters' lives as it is about the giant volcano growing in NYC), and it includes a couple of trans characters, and the author is trans as well.
OMG, that sounds ridiculous in a really magnificent way. I might have to add this to my trans girl april TBR.
You always add books to my list. 😊 My daughter loved Detransition Baby so think that will be my next pick. This is a great list, Scott. Gives viewers a place to start or new recs. ❤
I hope you love Torrey Peters. I love adding books to your list. 🙂
I think Detransition Baby would be a good one to read Lori - I really liked it.
Daryll was awesome, I have the prettiest star on my shelf and hopefully I pick it up in April but I've so many amazing trans books I want to get too. I just got Tell me I'm Worthless to read in April. You know my love for Detransition Baby one of the best books I've ever read. Literally every other book you mention is on my wishlist ❤
I think you would love Tell Me I'm Worthless, it's a wee bit horrible, but it's weird and dark and thought provoking and all of the good things.
I am sitting here wearing yoga pants not sure if Darryl is for me! 😮 oh. I have the prettiest star on my shelf. Maybe that will be a good pick for trans girl April! 😢
Haha, Darryl is a strong flavour, that's for sure.
This is amazing! I am adding The Prettiest Star and Freshwater to my TBR.
Good choices... Although I would say that any any 2 novels on this list. 😋
I've only read Freshwater from this list, but I want to read every single other entry soon!
I enjoyed Pet by Akwake Emezi and The Subtweet by Vivek Shraya. Both what I would call quietly trans books. Where the main character being trans was not the full focus of the book.
Recently I also enjoyed the trans rep in The Vanishing Half, although not written by a trans author. Along similar lines, I liked the nonbinary/trans rep in Upright Women Wanted.
Ooo, I forgot about Shraya, I also enjoyed The Subtweet, and I hope to read I'm Afraid of Men Soon.
I absolutely loved Detransiton, Baby. It’s one of my favorite books as a trans person.
Amazing book.
I really enjoyed Jonny Appleseed by Joshua Whitehead and would enjoy finding some more stories by two spirit authors.
Very excited to check out Akwaeke Emezi after hearing about their books here! Great video, I'd love to see you cover more books from our acronym! ❤️
Yes, good call. To be honest Whitehead is the only two spirit authors I know of, but I'm sure there are more. I'll see what I can find and if they're available here and as long as that doesn't trip me up, I'll make a video in the future of the good ones.
@@GunpowderFictionPlotthank you! I'll keep looking myself as well!
As you know, I'll be reading freshwater shortly... And as I am currently reading my way through all of Emezi's work, I'll get to Vivek Oji at some point too. My friend really liked tell me I'm worthless and it is on my wishlist as well since they recommended it. I have been meaning to get to detransition baby for ages but my mood hasn't brought me there yet ;.; someday!! And bookstagram has been all over at certain points we touch so it is on my radar now too :3
I'm looking forward to your thoughts on all the Emezi, I can just see so many parts of your reading self being satisfied by their books.
Tell Me I'm Worthless is a Gothic horror, that's a textbook Olivia novel in my eyes. 🙂
I don’t believe you. It has not been 40 videos since you last mentioned Darryl. 😂
I counted, it's actually been 59! 😱
Great video! I thought I’d settled on a good 10 books for #transgirlapril but now you’ve just added several more books to my list. 😂 A good problem to have. In particular I’m looking at Darryl and Tell Me I’m Worthless.
I already have Freshwater on my list as it’s the last of Emezi’s currently published works that I’ve yet to read. I was going to ask…have you read Dear Senthuran? I couldn’t remember, but I’d be curious about your thoughts on it.
An author that I think writes excellent Trans rep is Rivers Solomon. They are non-binary and I love their books for the diversity as well as the societal critiques. If you haven’t read them, I think they’d be right up your alley.
I have read Dear Senthuran, I really like it. I think it was so thought provoking, and I kind of liked seeing the prickly side of Emezi.
I must give River Solomon another shot. I think I tried On Earth Were Briefly Gorgeous at the time we were closing our business and nobody get a fair shot then.
Hope you love Darryl and Tell Me I'm Worthless!
@@GunpowderFictionPlot On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous is by Ocean Vuong.
Rivers Solomon is An Unkindness if Ghosts, Sorrowland, and The Deep.
This is a wonderful list! I need to pick up Freshwater! I really hope the US publishes At Certain Points We Touch, it sounds absolutely beautiful.
I think At Certain Points We Touch is exactly the sort of book you love... Also, it was released in the US in December. :)
@@GunpowderFictionPlot Really!? Ok, how did I miss this? I’m going to keep an eye out for it.
Everyone should read The Prettiest Star. It was one of my favorite books the year I read it.
It is such a moving novel.
@@GunpowderFictionPlot I would hope after reading it people would be a little more emphatic towards a person dying with AIDS.
I find it hard to think anybody couldn't after reading it. Maybe it should be a high school text and that would change attitudes.
Have you read The Wrong End of the Telescope? If not I also highly recommend it for this list
The aim of #TransGirlApril is to read books by trans authors. But I’ll certainly put this on my tbr for after the readathon
I have not, thank you for the recommendation.
hello again ❤
Good Afternoon Mr. Ferg!
Hi mr Scott
Freshwater was brilliant, quite unlike anything I'd ever read before.
It's a great book.
Which books are Political related or coming of age related?
I think they're all coming of age stories... Which I acknowledge is a bit unusual, but I think when you talk about trans identity, that coming to terms with who you are is central to the plot... Unless you want to take the definition very literally about becoming an adult, then Freshwater, The Prettiest Star, Vivek Oji and Fierce Femmes.
@@GunpowderFictionPlot and which books are Political then?
Unfortunately I think books centring trans people are all political in our current environment.